Here are 6 opportunities to celebrate Juneteenth in Anchorage

Juneteenth National Independence Day commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas by executive proclamation on June 19, 1865.

The holiday will officially be recognized Monday, but most of the events commemorating Juneteenth in Anchorage — including celebrations of Black excellence and culture, and opportunities for education, community gathering and reflection — are scheduled to take place over the weekend.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday, and the Anchorage Assembly this year made Juneteenth an official city holiday. A bill that would designate Juneteenth as a state holiday was passed by the Alaska Senate in May, but the House didn’t vote on the measure before the end of the regular session.

Here are six opportunities to celebrate Juneteenth in Anchorage.

Juneteenth Kickoff: 6 p.m. Friday, Shiloh Community Housing Resource Center, 1677 Juneau Drive

Friday’s event will focus on Black inventors and music appreciation, with performances and music as well as a discussion on the significance of Black history and Black inventions. The event will also include food and face painting for the kids, plus Shiloh Community Housing’s capital campaign telethon starting at 5:30 p.m.

Citywide Celebration, Day 1: noon-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Delaney Park Strip, Ninth Avenue and E Street

The day starts with a unity parade at noon, followed by the opening prayer by Pastor Undra Parker, remarks from dignitaries and a flag ceremony beginning at 1:15 p.m.

Anaya Latin Dance will host a “Dance on the Grass” workshop at 1:30 p.m. The interactive SayMyName Justice Drumming performance starts at 2:30 p.m.. followed by a fashion show at 2:45 p.m. At 3 p.m., representatives from the MLK Foundation will speak, and Sankofa Dance Theatre will perform.

The rest of the afternoon features entertainment in a variety of genres, from rapper Tayy Tarantino to singer Katelyn McGeary and band Wasabi Black.

The day closes at 5:30 p.m. with a community dance competition and a closing prayer.

The first day of the Juneteenth citywide celebration will also feature a health fair and a legal clinic. And aside from the scheduled events, both days of the citywide celebration will featured a kids zone, an education fair and a justice garden along with 130 vendors.

Free Museum Admission Day: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Anchorage Museum, 625 C St.

The Anchorage Museum will commemorate Juneteenth on Saturday with free admission. Installations of interest include “Black in Alaska,” a multimedia project with interviews, photos and short videos profiling 50 Black Alaskans, and artist LaMont Hamilton’s sound-based project titled “To Hear the Earth Before the End of the World.”

Citywide Celebration, Day 2: 1:30-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Delaney Park Strip, Ninth Avenue and E Street

The opening prayer by Pastor Tommy Leonard will start the festivities at 1:30 p.m., along with a flag ceremony and Father’s Day recognition.

Rising Star Kidz take the stage at 1:45 p.m. followed by singers Finnestor and Zinnia. The Antioch Church of God in Christ praise team will be featured at 2:15 p.m.

The second day of the citywide celebration also includes entertainment from rappers Clyde Reynolds and Marcus Burns, musical group Melo’Dee’, plus Brent Jones with the Juneteenth Anchorage Community Choir under the direction of E. Darrel Hawk. The closing prayer is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Make It Monday: 11 a.m. Monday, Dena’ina Center, 600 W. Seventh Ave.

The Anchorage Chamber and Alaska Black Caucus event is a luncheon and recognition of the Ebony Aurora Awards. It includes live entertainment, presentations and vendor booths. Doors open at 11 a.m. with vendors, lunch and networking opportunities, and the program begins at 11:30 a.m.

Juneteenth Community Barbecue and Closing Celebration: 4 p.m. Monday, UAA Fine Arts parking lot and theater, 3700 Alumni Drive

The free Juneteenth Community Barbecue will run from 4 to 6 p.m. in the UAA Fine Arts parking lot. After the barbecue, the Citywide Juneteenth Stage Celebration and Closing Ceremony will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at the UAA Fine Arts theater, with the theme of advocacy and liberation.

If there’s a Juneteenth event you think should be added to this listing, email cbieri@adn.com.